Westwind proposal draws further criticism

Marie H.
04/08/2008 10:36 AM

Werner-As more and more facts come to light regarding the application for the grant, the conditional use permit and SWMHP's other manipulations of the process, this "non-profit" group would be foolish to spend the money to bring a lawsuit forward. They may need to reserve some of its money for their defense fund.

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Beth H.
04/08/2008 10:17 AM

Keep up the great work Christianson, Dokken, Swenson, & Fagerlie!! It's ironic that when people clapped for Christianson at a meeting a couple of months ago the Mayor threatened to clear the chambers, but when people clapped last night for people speaking for Westwinds, the Mayor didn't say anything. The Mayor wouldn't even let Christianson talk.

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Carly S.
Willmar, MN     04/08/2008 9:57 AM

Thank you Christianson, Dokken, Swenson & Fagerlie! Glad we have you!

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Werner N.
04/08/2008 9:05 AM

Yeah, All the grandstanding sure is funny. But all you people who are complaining won't be when the case is brought to the courts. The city attorney doesn't have much defense when he has already stated that the permit couldn't be appealed because case law.

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Marie H.
04/08/2008 7:42 AM

Steve G - It was "ugly attacks" not ugly tactics as you stated. However, as things are continually being revealed through Councilman Christianson's investigation of the facts, more and more of our good citizens are going to get ugly. It appears from the very beginning SWMHP was manipulating the process. SWMHP was suppose to first receive the Willmar City Council's approval to apply for the grant money but when it was denied, they went directly to the state. Also according to the SWMHP application, this non-profit organization will receive 157,000.00 taxpayer dollars off the top for being the developer. This money doesn't even include work such as soil tests. Bloggers please watch WRAC-8's tape of last night's city council meeting for yourself. You will notice how Mayor Heitke and Gardner staged a Westwind pro-rally through statements of their & HRA's invited guests. How Mayor Heitke tried to stop Christianson from making positive comments that stemmed from Bruce Peterson's report, which violated our City Charter rules. George Hulstrand Senior requesting lively debate and he got it. Unfortunately, the debate was more about Heitke trying to stifle Christian's right and responsibility to speak for his constituents and the "greater Willmar." Tune in.

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Steven T.
04/08/2008 7:04 AM

I hope that this council can figure out a way to get back to business. After reading this story I want to thank the council members who voted against the motion for at least remaining and allowing the vote to take place. They could have gotten up I suppose and walked out like their fellow members did a week ago when a motion to adjourn was defeated, but they remained. I will have to watch the proceedings I guess to see Marie if the "grandstanding" and "ugly tactics" that you speak of occured and what they were.

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Marie H.
04/08/2008 5:00 AM

Keep up the good fight Christianson, Dokken, Swenson & Fagerlie! After watching the City Council meeting last night and learning more details about the financial aspects of the project and unfortunately tolerating Heitke's ugly attacks and Garnder's grandstanding, I am very grateful that you are looking out for Ward 2 and the City of Willmar.

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